Electric-lamp socket and switch mechanism therefor



Aug. 3l 1926.

D.' N. THOMPSON ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET AND SWITCH MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed March 22, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ifileillnni..

BY mi/l D ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 31 1926.

Filed March 22, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m fw 5 i .W mz Ww i Z 5 @4 4 /U 4 4 5 Patented Aug. 3l, 1926.

tatiana armas DON N. THOMPSON, OF

SYRACUSE, NEVI YORK, ASSIGNOR TO RASS & SEYMOUR INC.,

OF SGLVAY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. i

ELECTRC-LAMP SOCKET AND SW'TCI-l MECHANISM THEREFOR.

Application iled March 22, 1920.. Serial No. 367,856.

This invention hasfor its object an electric lamp socket and switch construction, which is particularly simple and compact in its organization, economical in manufacture and highly efficient and durable in use. lt consists in the novel features and in the combinationsy and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which -like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a lamp socket embodying my in vention. p

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2, Fig. 1.

yFigure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken `partly in elevation, centrally of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line i-Jl, Fig. 3, looking downwardly, parts being omitted.

Figure 5 is asectional view on line 5 5, Fig. looking upwardly. Y

Figure (5 is an inverted plan view `of the socket the casing being omitted.

This lamp socket comprises, generally, a skeleton base or frame composed partly of pieces of insulation and partly of metal parts serving to hold the insulating pieces in assembled relation and some serving as conductors, lamp terminals supported by the frame, switch mechanism, and an enclosing casing.

More specifically, the base or frame comprises upper and lower plateswas disks 1, 2 of insulation, an upright plate. or post 3 of insulation between the disks, additional posts 4, 5 of metal between the disks and serving as wire terminals and having binding devices 6, 'T thereon and an additional post 8 preferably of metal located opposite the post 3 and together therewith supporting the switch mechanism.

The plates or disk tough insulating material as fibre and the post 3 is of the same material, the post 3 being formed with reduced portions ortenons 9, 10 at its ends whichV fit slots in the disks 1, 2. The metal posts 1, 5 are located diametrically opposite each other and equidistant from the post 3, and are secured to the disks 1, 2,` each being here shown as having laterally turned lugs 11, 12 at its upper and lower end respectively, for semay be any suitable curement to the disks. As shown the lugs 11 are provided with prongs 13 which pass through holes in the upper disk 1, and which are clinched over on the upper `face of the disk. The lugs 12 are formed with threaded holes which receive screws 111 which hold one of the lamp terminals to the base or disk 2 thereof.

15, 16 are the lamp terminals, the terminal 15 being the conventional sleeve of threaded shell and the terminal lbeing located centrally of the sleeve. These terminais may be of any suitable form, size and construction, and are called lamp terminals merely for convenience. They may be, in so far as this invention is concerned, of any suitable arrangement to translate the current to an electrical appliance irrespective of whether said appliance requires a socket or'plug or other form of coupling.

rlhe sleeve terminalV 15 seats against the outer or lower face of the disk 2 and has a tongue 17 extending through a slot 18, Fig. l in the disk and under the foot 12 on the post l, the companion screw 1l extending through the tongue 17. A disk or washer 19 of insulation is shown as located in the bottom 'of the shell 15, and the screws ll extend through this washer and have their heads located in the sleeve where they are accessible through the open end of the sleeve. T he screw 1d which threads into the foot 12 for the post 5 extends through a cutout 20 in the sleeve terminal, and hence is `insulated from the sleeve terminal.

The central terminal Y16 is here shown as in the form of a spring clip at one end of a conductor 22 lying on the lower face of the disk 2 in a diametrical direction and between the disk 2' and washer 19 and has an upturned arm 23 extending through a slot in the disk 2 and terminating in a switchl contact 24 on the inner face of the fibre postV 3. The conductor is secured to the disk 2 in any suitable` manner as by a tubular rivet 25.

26 is a switch contact on the 'inner face of the post 3 near the disk 1 and connected by a conductor ,27 to the post 5; The

post 8 is located diametrically opposite the v libre post 3, these two posts supporting the switch mechanism. The post 8 rests at its lower end on the margin ofthe disk 2 and seats in an indentation therein. lt has an arm 28 at its upper end lying on and eX- nu h blades i extending radially.

tending' substantially radially ofthe lowe-r face of the upper diskfl. `Said arm issecured to the upper disk by prongs-29 eX- tending through holes in the disk l, and

Aclinched over on the upper face thereof and u stiffens the :traine structure. The switch mechanism comprises aswitch arm 3l coacting with the contacts 24, 26 and means l hub part32 andhaving` -outwardly turned lipsf33 on the front and 1:rear sides thereof` for fguidiiigfthe-*switch blades' `on. to the lward and-from the inner face of the as [from its hub toward the switch armand between flanges 40 projecting from the hubv of the switch arm'l on opposite sides of the spindle, fthe-fork arms being of 'comparative- .-ly less lwidththan the distance between' the angestopermit "the spindle 35and member `JWithsaid arms. shoulders 4l 'on the spindle "said shoulder whereby there i p postduring actuation of said arm.

1T he .means oractuatingtlie Vswitch arm vcomprises a-spindle 35'rotatablymounted in the posts `3"'and- 8 and a member for trans- --mitting the motion ofthe spindle to the` switch yarm. vThe spindle-has a handle 36 at lits-outerend.- the hub of which abuts againstvthe kpost 8 and ani annular shoulder Hor collar 37 at its inner end which abuts against the outer end face of' the iibre post Fig. 3, :the handle "and collar` holding the spindle-from substantial endwise movement. The motion transmitting member 38 as here illustrated, is mounted onthe spindle and is connected tothe switch arm 3l by a lost k'motion 'connection' which is V.here shown provided by a fork or arm' 39A projecting 38 to be tur-ned relatively to the switch arm totension andtime theaction of the spring to be :described which eii'ects l the snap action;

'The'member 38 is connected to the spindle 35 also" by' a lost'motion'connection by radial shoulders 41 struck up from the spindle1 these shoulders also holding 4the member 38 from axial movement outwardly. Said inem- 381is also formed with arms 42 extending from 'its hub or body "in the'opposite direction from the arms 39* 'and alternating Said arms enclose the and are spaced apart a greaterdistance thanthe width of' is lost motion betwe'eiithe member 38 and' the spindle to permit lthe snapactionas hereinafter described. Themeinber l38 is vformed Yfrom a sheet metal 'blank 'in the form'of a maltese lcross having a central 'perforation-and havspindle 35. shown as angular extensions-of the 'bifurca- 'a snap-action. 'tion 'of the spindle 38 andthe cain,`the lost and the *flanges 4010i the switch being taken up and is completely taken up ing diamet-rically opposite arms bent par` allel to each other in one direction and the otherarms are bent in the opposite diiecthe llibre "post-3 constitutes one vfeature of i this invention. The spring Y44 for. giving the snap action to the -switch member coacts with the inember38 onthe arinsf42-thereot `which in ejtt'ectconstitute'a cam'and as here L26 'which overlie- Land project-f lfrom the inn'er'face ofthe postf3'as seen in' AF ig. 3 providing depressions at 34 between :thercontacts intoY which the blades move when "out or'lenigagement' withl the Acontacts the switch-arm-being'niovable axially tohigh points or apices 46 coacting with the cam 38 ont'he arm 42,4 said Aspring arms eX- tendinig crosswise of or at a right angle to the These spring arms" are here tions of the spring 44 which isvU shapedand carried bythe post 8-and the 'horizontal extension 28 thereof. rIvhe intermediate part 47'otfthe U'vextends around the post 8, Figs. 3 and 5,aiid seats in notches `49 vin the post and 'the bifurcations fulcrum at the ends against thc'inner sidesof lugs 50fdepending from the side edges of the horizontal arm or extension ot thepost"8,-said lugs `50 having seats or notches for receiving said bifurcations.

The enclosing-casing 51 may be of any suitable form, size yand construction,V and as it forms no part yof thisinvention, and as the construction thereof is lwell known any further description AVis thought to be unnecessary.

In the operation of the switch mechanism (assuming that the switch' is -oti)v upon rotation of the spindle 35 in either direction the cam or member 38 is Lrotated therewith and spreads the spring arms 45 untily the corners or edges of the arms 42 of the cani passthe -high-points'46 of the spring arms 45- whereupon l"the spring arms Jreact on vthe 'arms 42' of thecam and lcontinue the rotation of thelcani lrelatively to the spindle with During suchfinitial rotamotion between-the -arms 39 ofthe cain 38 arm V31 is when the spring arms 45v react so that the switch arm-is' thrown by the reaction of the spring arms 45. The lost motion between =thespindle 3 5 and the cam` or member y38 permits the cam to rotate relatively tothe 'spindle during Ftfhe spreading ofthe spring arms 45. Theioper'ationfto throw the switch position isfthe same. The spring 43 yielding-ly presses the switclrarm l of said posts beingof insulation,

31 against the contacts 24, 26 and insures good electrical connection, and also holds the switch arm in either its on or off position.

This lamp socket, owing to the skeleton construction, of the base and the switch mechanism, is particularly economical of manufacture both as to the base construction itself and as to the assembly of the switch mechanism therein.

What l claim is:

l. A lamp socket comprising a base in the form of a skeleton frame including upper and lower plates of insulation and diametrically disposed posts between the plates, one

lamp terminals supported by the base adjacent the lower plate, switch contacts supported by the base adjacent the post of insulation and electrically connect-ed respectively to the lamp terminals and switch mechanism carried by said posts and including a movable switch arm coacting with said contacts, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. A lamp socket comprising a skeleton base including upper and lower plates of insulation, and oppositely disposed posts between the plates, one of said posts being of insulation, lamp terminals supported by the base adjacent the lower plate, switch contacts supported by the base adjacent the post of insulation and electrically connected respectively to the lamp terminals, and switch mechanism including a spindle rotatably mounted in the posts and a switch arm operable by the spindle and coacting with the contacts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A lamp socket comprising a skeleton plate including upper and lower plates of insulation, a post of insulation between the plates, oppositely disposed metal posts between the plates, and spaced apart from the former post, said posts supporting and holding the plates in spaced apart relation, the metal posts serving as wire terminals, lamp terminals supported by the base adjacent the lower plate, switch contacts associated with the base and mounted on one face of the post of insulation, one contact being connected to one lamp'terminal and the other to one of the metal posts, the last mentioned post being electrically connected to the other lamp terminal, and switch mechanism including aspindle journaled at one end in the post of insulation, and a switch arm arranged to coact with said contacts, subst'antially as and `for the purpose set forth.

Ll. A lamp socket comprising a skeleton base including upper and lower plates of insulation, oppositely disposed posts between the plates, one of said posts being of insulation, oppositely disposed metal posts between the plates and spaced apart from the former posts and serving as wire terminals, all of the posts supporting and holding the plates .in spaced apart relation, lamp y terminals supported by the base adjacent the lower plate, switch contacts located adj acent one of the faces of the post of insulation, one being connected to one lamp terminal and the other to one of said metal posts, the last mentioned post being electrically connected to the other lamp terminalv`v and switch mechanism including a spindle journaled in the iirst mentioned posts and including a switch arm arranged to coact with said contacts, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. A lamp contacts located in the base and switch mechanism including a rotatable spindle, a switch arm mounted on the spindle and coacting with the contacts, a cam mounted on the spindle and connected to the switch arm by a lost motion connection, the cam being held from substantial axial movement, a compression spring interposed Vbetween the cam and the switch arm, and spring means coacting with the cam to' effect a snap act tion of the switch arm through-the cam, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. A lamp socket comprising a base, switch contacts located in the base and switch mechanism including a spindle, a switch arm mounted on the spindle and connected thereto by a lostV motion connection, said cam being provided with bifurcations located on opposite sides of the spindle, and the switch arm being provided with flanges on opposite sides of the bifurcations, the flanges being spaced apart a greater distance than the width of said bifurcations, and spring means coacting with the cam to eect a snap action of the switch arm, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

'7. A lamp socket comprising a base, switch contacts located in the base and switch mechanism including a` rotatable spindle, a switch arm mounted on the spindle and coacting with the contacts, a cam mounted on the spindle and having two pairs of bifurcations, one pair extending in one direction axially of the spindle, and the other in the opposite direction, and the bifurcations, of one pair alternating with those of the other, the switch arm having means for receiving` one pair of bifurcations and the spindle having shoulders between the other pair of bifurcations, and spring means coacting with the latter pair of bifurcationsv`v substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A lamp socket comprising a base, switch contacts located in the base, and switch mechanism including a rotatable spindle, a switch arm mounted on the spindle and movable over the faces of the contacts in a plane at a right angle to the spindle and tosocket comprising a base, switch o rotatable ward the contacts in adireCtiOn parallel to the axis of the -spindle,.a the spindle and held from substantial'raxial movement, the camliaving` two active portions, one portion Ycoacting with the switch AineinlJ-er to throw vtliesame,` V and the spindle having meansk coactingwith .the cam to transv tially mitV rotary motion thereto, springmeaiis co acting with the other `portion of the :cam to effect asnap vaction of the cam. and vthe switch membenand a'spring rinterposed between the .cam and the switch member to thrust :the switch ymember axially of the shaft toward kthe switch contacts. substanas .and for the purpose described.

9. A lainpsocket comprising abase, switch contacts mounted inthe .basennd switch n'iechanismin the. base including a Spindle', switch arms mounted.onitliespindle and co- Yacting.withthe contacts,- a cam mounted on -the'spindlesand connected'thereto by a lost kmotion connection, spring ineansjfor coactiug withthe Cami to :impart asnap .action holding the saineiir-spaced apartrelation,

one of the posts having aradiallyextending .arm lying againstand.y secured to the inner Viface of one ofrthe plates, vswitch contacts located between the plates and switch inecha- Liiisin comprising a spindle journaled in two of said posts, a switch ariii. mounted. on the cam mounted on f K to the switcharm,

.spindle and coacting withvthefcontacts, means for transmitting theinction ofthe spindle and a. spring l coacting give the, saine asnap with said means to i being 4substantially U- action, the spring Y shaped and having angular extensionsfatthe ends ofthebranches thereof whichfextensious arearraiiged on opposite sidesof, an'dcoact with, the cam, the body of athe zU-shaped formation being;A arranged astiide said post and the branches thei'eofibeing fulcrumed near their.ends,substantiallyaszand for the .purpose specified.

ll. A lampsocket comprisinga..skeleto1i `traine including upper and lower platesof insulation, posts between the plates and holdingltlio same in spaced apart relation, switch contacts .between Vthe yplates and switch mechanism comprising a Spindle journaled in two of said posts, a switch arm mounted oii `the spindle and coacting .with the contacts, means for,transmittingtlie mo- .i tion `of `the ,spindle toV the switch arm, and Aa spring, coacting` with-said means to give'the saine a snap action,-the spriiigzbeiiig-substantially 1 U-shaped and fhaving angular extensions Vat the ends of the branchesthereof which f extensions are arranged on yopposite sides of,aiid coact witlnthe cam,thef body of the. VU-shaped formation ,being arranged asti-ide one of said postsformedwithadiainetrical extension and 5 the ,branches thereof being Afulcrumed near-j their; ends against the saine, substantially zas ,and l for the V,purpose set forth.

In ltestimony ,wliereof,-l have .hereunto signed myiiaine at vSyracuse,.in the county of Onondaga and Stateof New York,.this V13th :day of March, 1920.

` DON N. THOMPSON. 

